A 21-year-old Mission, South Dakota man has been sentenced to 18 months probation for possession of cocaine. Charles Griffen Spotted Elk was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and forfeit U.S. currency seized by law enforcement.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Spotted Elk was stopped by Rosebud Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement Service Officers on November 6, 2016, during a traffic stop near Mission. A search of the vehicle revealed a plastic baggie containing 7.22 grams of cocaine and 2.88 grams of marijuana.
Spotted Elk was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 16, 2017, for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. However, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance on December 19, 2017.
The case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan prosecuted the case.
Spotted Elk was released on conditions following sentencing.
The exact amount of U.S. currency seized by law enforcement was not specified in the press release, but Spotted Elk agreed to forfeit any interest he may have had in the currency.
Defendant: Charles Griffen Spotted Elk
Criminal Charges: Possession of a Controlled Substance
City and State: Mission, South Dakota
Exact Date: November 6, 2016 (arrest date)
Sentence: 18 months probation, $1,000 fine, forfeiture of U.S. currency
Dollar Amounts: $56 in U.S. currency, $538 in U.S. currency in the wallet belonging to the driver of the vehicle
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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